Grade: VI SCIENCE MASTER NOTES

Name of the Lesson: Ls 2 Animals Around Us

Definitions:
1.​ Scavengers: Organisms that eat the remains of the dead animals.
2.​ Cannibals: Animals that eat flesh of animals of their own kind.
3.​ Parasites: Organisms that live on or inside the body of other living beings for food.
4.​ Locomotion: Movements of the body from one place to another.
5.​ Camouflage: The ability to blend with the colour or characteristics of one’s immediate environment
to prevent detection.
6.​ Acclimatization: The process in which an organism adjusts to the environment around it in a short
time.

Answer the following questions:

a)​ Short answer type:
1Q) Why do animals move from one place to another? (HW)
Ans: i. Animals move to find food and water.
ii. They also move to escape predators and unfavourable conditions.
2Q) How does the streamlined body of fish help them to move? (HW)
Ans: i. The streamlined body reduces water resistance.
ii. It allows fish to swim efficiently and quickly in water.
3Q) How do herbivores such as rabbits use their teeth to eat plants? (CW)
Ans: i. Herbivores have sharp incisors to cut plants.
ii. They also use their molars to grind plant material.
4Q) What role do muscles play in the movement of cockroaches? (CW)
Ans: Muscles in a cockroach help it to move its legs and wings. These muscles are joined to its
exoskeleton which helps it to run, crawl, and fly quickly.
Cockroaches have three pairs of legs. While walking, they move three legs at a time (two on one side and
one on the other) – this is called tripod movement.While one tripod gives grip and other tripod moves
forward.
They also have wings and use wing muscles to fly short distances.
5Q) Describe the movement of a snake. (CW)
Ans: i. Snakes move using their muscles and scales.
ii. They create a wave-like motion called slithering.
6Q) How does a bird’s body shape help it fly? (HW)
Ans: i. Birds have lightweight, streamlined bodies to reduce air resistance.
ii. Their wings and strong chest muscles provide lift and thrust.
b)​ Long answer type:

1Q) Compare and contrast the feeding habits of herbivores, carnivores, and omnivores. (CW)
Ans: i. Herbivores eat plants, using flat teeth for grinding plant material.Herbivores rely on a plant-rich
environment, while carnivores rely on prey availability.
ii. Carnivores eat other animals, with sharp teeth to tear meat.
iii. Omnivores eat both plants and animals, having a mix of sharp and flat teeth.. Omnivores have more
flexibility in their diet compared to herbivores and carnivores.
2Q) How do the special adaptations of animals help them survive in their respective
environments? (CW)
Ans: i. Camouflage helps animals blend into their surroundings to avoid predators.
ii. Webbed feet in aquatic animal’s aid in swimming.
iii. Thick fur or blubber in polar animals provides insulation in cold climates.
iv. Sharp claws or teeth enable hunting or defence.
v. Long legs or wings help animals travel quickly to escape threats or migrate.
3Q) Describe the movement of a fish and explain how its body structure aids in this movement.
(HW)
Ans: i. Fish move by flexing their bodies and tail fins from side to side.
ii. Their streamlined body reduces water resistance, making movement efficient.
iii. Fins provide balance, steering, and propulsion.
iv. Gills enable underwater respiration, allowing extended swimming.
v. Scales and mucous coating reduce drag during movement.
4Q) Discuss the different ways birds move and the features that enable them to do so. (CW)
Ans: i. Birds fly using their wings, powered by strong chest muscles.
ii. Their lightweight bones reduce body weight for efficient flight.
iii. Birds Walk or hop using their legs, depending on the species.
iv. Some birds swim using webbed feet for propulsion in water.
v. Tail feathers aid in steering and balance during flight.
5Q) Explain the importance of decomposers. (HW)
Ans: i. Decomposers break down dead plants and animals into simpler substances.
ii. They recycle nutrients back into the soil, enriching it for plant growth.
iii. Decomposers help in maintaining the balance of ecosystems.
iv. They prevent the accumulation of waste materials in the environment.
v. Examples include fungi, bacteria, and earthworms.
c)​ Give reasons

1. Scavengers are important for the environment. (HW)

They clean the environment by consuming dead organisms, preventing the spread of diseases.
2. Herbivores have flat, ridged teeth. (CW)
These teeth help them grind plant materials effectively.
3. Birds have hollow bones. (CW)
This adaptation reduces their body weight, aiding in flight.
4. Earthworms move without limbs. (HW)
They use muscle contractions and bristles on their body for locomotion.
5. Snakes move best on rough surfaces. (CW)
Their scales grip the surface, enabling efficient movement.4
d)​ HOTs:

1. Compare the adaptations of fish and birds for movement in their respective environments.
How do the structures in their bodies contribute to their ability to move efficiently in water and
air? (HW)
Ans: Fish have streamlined bodies and fins for efficient swimming, while birds have wings and hollow
bones for flight. These adaptations enable movement in their respective environments of water and air.
2. How do the movements strategies of scavengers and predators, such as hyenas and lions,
contribute to their survival in their ecosystem? Consider their feeding habits and how their
movements help them find food. (HW)
Ans: Scavengers like hyenas locate food efficiently by detecting carcasses, while predators like lions rely
on strength, speed, and stealth. These strategies ensure survival by fulfilling their dietary needs.
3. How do the locomotion mechanisms of earthworms and snakes reflect their body structures?
Explain how their movement methods are adapted to their environments and physical forms.
(CW)
Ans: Earthworms use muscle contractions and setae for movement, while snakes use their flexible spine
and scales to slither. Both are adapted to their specific environments for survival.
4. What are the features in birds that help them in flight? Which of these features are not likely
to be seen in flightless birds? (CW)
Ans: Birds have hollow bones, strong chest muscles, and feathers for flight. Flightless birds, such as
ostriches, lack certain features like strong wings and instead adapt to running.
e)​ Competency Based Questions:

1. Imagine you are designing a robot to mimic the movement of a snake. What features would
you include, and why? (HW)​
Ans: The robot would have a flexible spine-like structure and scales for friction, allowing it to slither
efficiently. This design would help it navigate through narrow spaces and rough terrains, similar to a real
snake.

2. Question: (CW)
●​ How is the camel adapted to survive in the desert?
●​ Why is it called the "ship of the desert"?
Answer:
●​ Camels store fat in their humps for energy, have long eyelashes to protect against sand, and broad
feet to walk on sand.
●​ It is called the "ship of the desert" because it can carry goods and people across long desert
distances.
GO 1:

Extra Questions for Practice:

1. What is the difference between herbivores, carnivores, and omnivores? Give examples.
Answer:
●​ Herbivores eat only plants. Example: Cow, Deer.
●​ Carnivores eat only meat. Example: Tiger, Lion.
●​ Omnivores eat both plants and meat. Example: Bear, Crow.
2. What are nocturnal animals? Give examples.
Answer:​
Nocturnal animals are active during the night and rest during the day.​
Examples: Owl, Bat, Fox.

3. How do animals protect themselves from enemies?​

Answer: Animals protect themselves in different ways:

●​ Camouflage: Chameleon changes color to blend with surroundings.

●​ Shell Protection: Tortoises have hard shells for safety.
●​ Sharp Teeth & Claws: Lions and tigers use them for defense.
●​ Playing Dead: Opossums pretend to be dead to fool predators.
●​ Fast Running: Deer and rabbits run quickly to escape danger.

4. How are the mouthparts of different animals adapted to their feeding habits?​
Answer:

Herbivores: Sharp front teeth for cutting plants, flat teeth for grinding (e.g., Cow, Goat).

Carnivores: Sharp pointed teeth for tearing flesh (e.g., Lion, Tiger).

Omnivores: A mix of sharp and flat teeth (e.g., Humans, Bears).

Insects:

●​ Butterflies have a long tube-like structure to suck nectar.

●​ Mosquitoes have a needle-like structure to suck blood.